West Latta has been making strange noises for over 30 years. West has spent the last several years developing his craft in the game industry as composer, sound designer, and integration specialist. He is currently a Sound Supervisor for Microsoft Game Studios/Soundelux DMG.

This is the third tutorial in a series focused on showing complete beginners how to write a simple song. This series will focus predominantly on the process of writing a song, rather than the specific software and hardware techniques, skills and applications you might need in the recording, mixing, and mastering of that song.

This is the third tutorial in a series focused on showing complete beginners how to write a simple song. This series will focus predominantly on the process of writing a song, rather than the specific software and hardware techniques, skills and applications you might need in the recording, mixing, and mastering of that song. Read More…

This BASIX tutorial is the second in a series focused on showing complete beginners how to write a simple song. This series will focus predominantly on the process of writing a song, rather than the specific software and hardware techniques, skills and applications you might need in the recording, mixing, and mastering of that song.

This BASIX tutorial is the second in a series focused on showing complete beginners how to write a simple song. This series will focus predominantly on the process of writing a song, rather than the specific software and hardware techniques, skills and applications you might need in the recording, mixing, and mastering of that song. Read More…

This tutorial is the first in a series focused on showing complete beginners how to write a simple song. This series will focus predominantly on the process of writing a song, rather than the specific software and hardware techniques, skills and applications you might need in the recording, mixing, and mastering of that song.

This tutorial is the first in a series focused on showing complete beginners how to write a simple song. This series will focus predominantly on the process of writing a song, rather than the specific software and hardware techniques, skills and applications you might need in the recording, mixing, and mastering of that song. Read More…

In the first part of our series we discussed the concepts of stillness, darkness, and cultivation. In Part 2 we looked at the process of birthing the idea into a coherent form, and beginning to tend the idea, to cultivate it, and begin to shape it.

In the first part of our series we discussed the concepts of stillness, darkness, and cultivation. In Part 2 we looked at the process of birthing the idea into a coherent form, and beginning to tend the idea, to cultivate it, and begin to shape it.Read More…

As the game industry continues to grow and change, composers and musicians are increasingly interested in learning more about ''how to break into the game industry'. What many novice composers and musicians do not realize is how sophisticated and involved the process of writing music for games has become.

As the game industry continues to grow and change, composers and musicians are increasingly interested in learning more about ''how to break into the game industry'. What many novice composers and musicians do not realize is how sophisticated and involved the process of writing music for games has become.Read More…

The use of arpeggiators in modern electronic music is as popular as ever. Hardware synthesizers such as the Access Virus, Nord Lead, Waldorf Q, and Novation Nova have long been popular in electronic music for their unique sound, extensive programming matrices and step-sequencing and arpeggiation functionality. While several third-party soft-synths have robust arpeggiation and step-sequencing functionality, none of the synthesizers in Logic Studio have this feature.

The use of arpeggiators in modern electronic music is as popular as ever. Hardware synthesizers such as the Access Virus, Nord Lead, Waldorf Q, and Novation Nova have long been popular in electronic music for their unique sound, extensive programming matrices and step-sequencing and arpeggiation functionality. While several third-party soft-synths have robust arpeggiation and step-sequencing functionality, none of the synthesizers in Logic Studio have this feature.Read More…

In the first part of our series we discussed the concepts of stillness, darkness, and cultivation. We talked about the importance of creating a unique space from which your musical ideas can be born, and to give them room to grow without the interference of the world and our own tendencies to begin 'working' before the idea has had time to bloom.
In this second part of our series, we'll look at the process of birthing the idea into a coherent form, and beginning to tend the idea, to cultivate it, and begin to shape it.

In the first part of our series we discussed the concepts of stillness, darkness, and cultivation. We talked about the importance of creating a unique space from which your musical ideas can be born, and to give them room to grow without the interference of the world and our own tendencies to begin 'working' before the idea has had time to bloom.
In this second part of our series, we'll look at the process of birthing the idea into a coherent form, and beginning to tend the idea, to cultivate it, and begin to shape it.Read More…

It has been a number of years since I published a song for general public consumption. While a number of my compositions and songs can be heard in various media around the web as a result of my work in the games industry, my personal musical pursuits have yielded fruits which I've kept largely to myself in recent years.

It has been a number of years since I published a song for general public consumption. While a number of my compositions and songs can be heard in various media around the web as a result of my work in the games industry, my personal musical pursuits have yielded fruits which I've kept largely to myself in recent years.Read More…

Twice a month we revisit some of our reader favorite posts from throughout the history of Audiotuts+. This tutorial was first published in September 2008.
FMOD Ex is one of several audio middleware systems that are used in modern game development. It is integrated alongside an existing game engine technology (such as Unreal or Gamebryo) to add or extend audio playback functionality. One of the primary benefits of using a technology such as FMOD is that it shifts much of the systems design and implementation into the hands of the sound designer, rather than relegating it to a programmer, who may or may not be as well versed in audio.

Twice a month we revisit some of our reader favorite posts from throughout the history of Audiotuts+. This tutorial was first published in September 2008.
FMOD Ex is one of several audio middleware systems that are used in modern game development. It is integrated alongside an existing game engine technology (such as Unreal or Gamebryo) to add or extend audio playback functionality. One of the primary benefits of using a technology such as FMOD is that it shifts much of the systems design and implementation into the hands of the sound designer, rather than relegating it to a programmer, who may or may not be as well versed in audio.Read More…

Dear reader - you've made it this far. You've examined and honed your skills, clarified your desires, and learned as much as you can about the industry. The time to dive in is NOW! You've decided that you really DO want to get into the game industry, and you really DO want to work in the audio discipline. What now?

Dear reader - you've made it this far. You've examined and honed your skills, clarified your desires, and learned as much as you can about the industry. The time to dive in is NOW! You've decided that you really DO want to get into the game industry, and you really DO want to work in the audio discipline. What now?Read More…

In Part 1 of our series, we followed the thread, "Know Thyself". I talked about how your focus and determination can carry you through challenges, and how knowing where you are and where you've come from can help to clarify your course of action to more quickly achieve your goals.

In Part 1 of our series, we followed the thread, "Know Thyself". I talked about how your focus and determination can carry you through challenges, and how knowing where you are and where you've come from can help to clarify your course of action to more quickly achieve your goals.Read More…

In Part 1 of our series, we followed the thread, "Know Thyself". I talked about how your focus and determination can carry you through challenges, and how knowing where you are and where you've come from can help to clarify your course of action to more quickly achieve your goals.

In Part 1 of our series, we followed the thread, "Know Thyself". I talked about how your focus and determination can carry you through challenges, and how knowing where you are and where you've come from can help to clarify your course of action to more quickly achieve your goals.Read More…